Renal replacement therapy in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit

Influence of cardiac diagnosis on outcomes of pediatric heart-lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric Heart-lung transplant (HLTX) is performed for endstage congenital heart disease (CHD) with irreversible pulmonary hypertension or non-congenital heart disease (NCHD) with end-stage heart and lung disease. CHD could influence the outcomes of HTLX due to increased complexity of the operation as compared to NCHD. In this study we evaluated the influence of cardiac diagnosis on outcomes of pediatric HTLX.

METHODS

The UNOS database (1987-2022) was queried for primary HTLX in patients <18 years. The data were extracted for demographics, pretransplant characteristics, post-transplant outcomes, and analyzed for the impact of cardiac diagnosis on post-transplant outcomes. Standard statistical tests were used. Survival was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Ninety of the 213 patients who underwent HLTX had CHD. There were no demographic differences. Heart listing status was similar but with a higher LAS score for NCHD. NCHD had higher pre-operative life support use (mechanical ventilation, inotropes or dialysis) but the use of ECMO as a bridge to transplantation was similar. Wait-list times were longer for CHD. The ischemic times were similar. Post-transplant dialysis, stroke, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and rejection were similar. Survival at 30-days, 1-year, and long-term survival at 17 years was similar. Non-survivors at 30-days post-transplant were on life support, used ECMO as a bridge, had lower wait-list times, longer ischemic times and had strokes. Non-survivors at 1-year had similar factors in addition to a higher dialysis use.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac diagnosis had no impact on outcomes after Pediatric HLTX. Patients on life support or ECMO before transplantation were transplanted faster but with lower survival.

Renal replacement therapy with a cytokine-adsorbing hemofilter after neonatal open-heart surgery

Two neonates with right atrial isomerism, single right ventricle, common atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and obstructive extra-cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection underwent emergent total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair combined with adjustment of pulmonary blood flow soon after birth. After the operation, both patients developed serious capillary leak syndrome, acute kidney injury, and lethal lactic acidosis with hemodynamic instability. Continuous renal replacement therapy was initiated with a cytokine-adsorbing hemofilter of polymethyl methacrylate membrane and a double lumen dialysis catheter inserted directly into the atrium. Elevated serum lactate levels were successfully decreased, and blood pressure was immediately increased.

Prevalence and predictors of postoperative peritoneal dialysis in infants

BACKGROUND

Data regarding predictors of the eventual need for postoperative peritoneal dialysis in infants undergoing open heart surgery is still limited. We aimed to determine whether prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, surgical complexity classified according to Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery category, younger age, and lower body weight increase the probability of requiring postoperative peritoneal dialysis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 181 infants who underwent open heart surgery at our institution from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery category, age, body weight, and the need for postoperative peritoneal dialysis were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirteen (7.2%) of the 181 patients required postoperative peritoneal dialysis. This group was found to have a longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, younger age, and lower body weight. Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.001), higher Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery category (p = 0.018), younger age (p < 0.001), and lower body weight (p < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of postoperative peritoneal dialysis.

CONCLUSION

Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, more complex surgery, younger age, and lower body weight increase the probability of requiring postoperative peritoneal dialysis in infants undergoing open heart surgery.